Grammar and Language Workbook

Unit 2, Nouns 67

Copyright © by Glencoe/McGraw-Hill

Grammar

Lesson 10

Nouns: Collective

Words that name a group of people or things, such ascrowd and team, are called

collective nouns. A collective noun can take either a singular or a plural verb.

Make the verb singular when the group acts as a unit. Make it plural when each

member of the group acts separately.

The crowd wasexcited by the close game.

The crowd werepushing each other to get through the gate.

Exercise 1 Underline each collective noun. Above it write Sif it is singular and Pif it

is plural.

S

The classis putting on a musical this year.

P

1. The audiencewere shifting restlessly in their seats.
   S


2. All of a sudden the crowdrose to its feet.
   S


3. The construction crewworks at night.
   S


4. The herdof cattle is grazing peacefully on the hillside.
   S


5. The juryis glad to take a break.
   S


6. Carla’s familyis going to visit relatives in Mexico.
   P


7. The juryare carefully discussing the evidence.
   S


8. A scientific teamis searching for a cure.
   S


9. The publicis unhappy with the politicians.
   P


10. The groupof students were talking and laughing.
    P


11. My familydisagree with each other about the movie.
    S


12. The clubI belong to does fund-raising for charity.
    P


13. The baseball teamtake their positions on the field.
    S


14. The committeehas finally reached a decision.